FOURTEEN PEOPLE ARE RESCUED FROM SINKING YACHT IN COLOMBIA

A dozen Americans tourists and two crew members were rescued from a yacht before sinking off the coast of a Colombian city on Friday
The group was returning from visiting Islas del Rosario when it began to take on water in the Punta Gigante sector
Investigators learned Sunday the yacht operator was not licensed to provide services to tourists and is facing a suspension this week

Fourteen people, including 12 Americans, were rescued from a yacht after it took on water and sank off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia.

The 'Baharí' was transporting the U.S. tourists after a trip to Islas del Rosario when it encountered problems in the Punta Gigante sector on Friday, the General Maritime Directorate (Dimar) said.

Two vessels in the area noticed the emergency and rushed to the yacht, where they were able to assist the tourists and the two crew members.

The group was taken to Club Naútico port, where they were provided medical and psychological assistance.

No injuries were reported in the terrifying ordeal.

While the General Maritime Directorate said an investigation into the yacht's sinking was underway and it is looking into whether the crew violated any maritime laws.

Cartagena investigators met Sunday with the vessel's owner, Mareta Group, and discovered that did not have a license to operate, El Tiempo newspaper reported.

'They do not have a current National Tourism Registry, nor do they have a service provision contract for clients, guaranteeing policies and insurance,' tourism secretary Terese Londoño said.

She added the Mareta Group will be sanctioned this week for failing to operate the tourist yacht service without the required licensing.

'From the Ministry of Tourism, we call on all tourism service providers to formalize and comply with the required documentation in order to provide an optimal tourist service and have a city that provides security to our visitors,' Londoño said.

The incident comes nearly two months after sailboat with the Swedish flag was found leaning on its side off the coast in Barranquilla

A fisherman alert authorities after spotting of the lifeless body of one of the two crew members lying on the beach shore on February 19.

The second person's body has not been located.

2024-04-15T15:57:01Z dg43tfdfdgfd